"Young Lady Xun'er!"
Seeing her turn away, the pale-faced young man hurried forward, cutting off her path with urgent steps.
Blocked, Xun'er had no choice but to stop. Her long, narrow eyes—clear as autumn water—regarded him with lazy indifference, offering no words.
"Young Lady Xun'er..." Under the gaze of those mesmerizing eyes, this seasoned pursuer of beauties found his breath quickening, his usual silver tongue failing him.
"Young Master Galie Ao, if you have no business, please step aside. I have matters to attend to."
Hearing her soft, dulcet voice, unhealthy color flushed across Galie Ao's pallid face.
"Hehe, Young Lady Xun'er, shopping at the market? I happen to be free—why not browse together?" Galie Ao inhaled deeply, mustering his most dazzling smile—one that had charmed many beauties into his arms.
"I've said I'm occupied. Must you obstruct me?" Xun'er's lips pressed into a thin line, her tone devoid of inflection.
Rebuffed, Galie Ao's smile stiffened, but he persevered. Reaching into his robes, he produced an exquisite bracelet—crafted from blue-gold iron with a polished green magic core pendant. Faint emerald light radiated from it, making the piece utterly enchanting. Clearly, no cheap trinket.
"Since Young Lady Xun'er is busy, I wouldn't dare impose further." Galie Ao held the bracelet delicately, oozing charm. "This Wood Spirit Bracelet, though humble, bears a grade-one wood-attribute magic core—excellent for Dou Qi recovery. Perfect for one yet to become a Dou Practitioner like yourself. Please don't refuse this small token, lest I lose face before my men..."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
His theatrical delivery drew sycophantic chuckles from his entourage.
Xun'er's frown deepened at his antics, but her gaze lingered on the green core. Remembering Xiao Yan's desperate search for such an item, her frosty demeanor thawed slightly...
Noticing her hesitation, Galie Ao pressed his advantage: "The Galie and Xiao families are both pillars of Wutan City. Who would question such a small gift between allies?"
Take the bracelet, extract the core for Brother Xiao Yan, then discard it when he's not looking.
Resolving thus, Xun'er reached out—only for her hand to be intercepted by another.
Startled, Dou Qi surged within her, poised to break free—until a familiar grunt made her stand down.
Turning, she found Xiao Yan glowering behind her.
Don't you know what trash he is? His glare chastised silently before he forced a smile. "Young Master Galie Ao, your kindness is noted, but please keep your gift."
Galie Ao's eyes flashed with anger, though his smile remained. "Young Master Xiao Yan, I merely wished to adorn Young Lady Xun'er's beauty. Surely you wouldn't deny her this small embellishment?"
With a sigh, Xiao Yan fished out a simple green bracelet from his robes—a five-copper street trinket—and thrust it at Xun'er. "Like bracelets? Here. Stop accepting things from strangers—haven't I warned you about ulterior motives?"
The contrast was laughable—Galie Ao's thousand-gold masterpiece versus this shoddy trinket.
"Xiao Yan," Galie Ao sneered, "I knew your standing in the family was low, but must you insult Young Lady Xun'er with such rubbish?"
Ignoring him, Xiao Yan waved the bracelet impatiently. "Take it or leave it. It's just two coins anyway."
Derisive laughter erupted—until it choked off abruptly.
Xun'er, as if sleepwalking, had snatched the cheap bracelet with startling eagerness. Only after securing it did she blush at her own forwardness.
Composing herself, she gracefully fastened it around her slender wrist before beaming at Xiao Yan. "Thank you, Brother Xiao Yan."
Galie Ao's face twisted with jealousy at her radiant expression. "How... unconventional of Young Lady Xun'er."
Xiao Yan studied Galie Ao's single golden star insignia—marking him as a one-star Dou Practitioner. Took him until twenty-one to break through? Mediocre talent at best.
Seeing Galie Ao still loitering, Xiao Yan's tone turned dismissive: "Your romantic exploits are legendary, but Xun'er's too young for your games. Find easier prey elsewhere."
Turning to Xun'er with exaggerated sternness: "Stay away from him."
"Oh."
Xun'er blinked innocently. To her, Galie Ao was a passing stranger—Xiao Yan, irreplaceable. The choice required no thought.
Key Terms:
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Wood Spirit Bracelet (木灵手链): Premium accessory with wood-attribute core for Dou Qi recovery.
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Galie Family (加列家族): One of Wutan City's three great families, rivals to the Xiao clan.
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One-Star Dou Practitioner (一星斗者): Initial rank after condensing a Dou Qi vortex.
Cultural Nuance:
The bracelet exchange illustrates face culture—Galie Ao's extravagant gift was meant to showcase status and humiliate Xiao Yan, making Xun'er's choice of the cheap trinket a devastating social rebuke.
Style Note:
The scene balances humor (Xun'er's unconscious grab) with tension (Galie Ao's barely concealed rage). Xiao Yan's nonchalant dismissal of his rival's cultivation achievements mirrors the original's subtle power dynamics while adapting idioms ("find easier prey") for natural flow.
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